[The presentation ceremonies were to include an address by James M. Beck, a prominent attorney and personal friend of both Otto Kahn and Enrico Caruso, but not of either John Hylan, Mayor of New York, or of William Randolph Hearst. According to press accounts, Hylan sent word just as the ceremony was to begin that he would withdraw from the program and forbid that his police commissioner give Caruso its flag if Beck appeared. Beck decided to withdraw and his address was not given.]